As consumer expectations continue to evolve, influenced by global travel, sustainability concerns and changing lifestyles, our aim is to stay ahead of the curve.

Understanding these shifts – sometimes before passengers do – allows us to create solutions that resonate with the travellers of tomorrow, and it’s thanks to En Route’s dedicated Research and Insights team that we are able to take a deep dive into the data to help us find the perfect solutions year-round.

As we kicked off the new year, we looked forward to the top 10 food trends that will be taking off in 2026:

1. Multi-Sensory Experiences

Consumers are increasingly seeking food that delivers more than just flavour. Multi-sensory experiences – combining taste, texture, aroma and visual appeal – are set to become much more important, especially in environments such as air travel, where altitude can dull flavour perception by up to 30%.

If you’ve ever been present at one of En Route’s cheese hospitality events then you’ll have witnessed this trend first hand with one of our unique cheese pairings: Beemster Royaal, dark chocolate and salted almonds. The combination of flavours (sweet, salty, bitter), and textures (crunchy, hard, soft) offers a taste experience like no other and constantly proves to be a real crowd pleaser.

Expect greater use of bold flavours such as dark cherry, coconut and citrus, paired with contrasting textures to enhance the overall inflight dining experience.

2. Flavour Fusions

Fusion flavours and third-culture cuisine will continue to grow well into 2026 as consumers look for globally inspired dishes such as Italian-Japanese, Korean-Southern Indian and regional Indian mashups.

These combinations allow caterers to introduce innovation while still working with familiar ingredients and formats suitable for large-scale production, such as our range of Asian-fusion hot handhelds that were showcased at the Onboard Hospitality Forum Asia in 2025. With solutions such as Tofu Jalfrezi Wrap, Vegetable Ratatouille Curry Puff and a Tandoori Chicken Pizza, we now offer a range of hot handheld items featuring a mix or flavour inspirations from around the world to feed into this trend.

3. Health & Wellness

Personalised nutrition, clean label products and functional ingredients are already in high demand and are predicted to remain so throughout 2026.

Key areas include plant-based alternatives, high protein foods, portion-controlled meals and functional ingredients that support energy, digestion and wellbeing, and we see these as being particularly relevant for long-haul travel and premium cabins.

4. Sustainability & Transparency

Passengers will demand even greater transparency around where their food comes from and how it is produced. Science-backed sustainability will no longer be a “nice to have” – it will be expected with consumers wanting to know where ingredients have come from, how they have been sourced and also, how the waste is disposed of.

In 2026, airline caterers will continue to focus on responsible sourcing, reducing food waste, sustainable packaging and disposal methods.

5. Indulgence & All-Day Snacking

Snacking will continue to grow throughout 2026, with passengers looking towards small indulgences at multiple times throughout the day, rather than traditional mealtimes.

Nostalgic and comforting flavours are particularly popular, offering a sense of familiarity and enjoyment. One of our most popular treats is our salted caramel brownie, which comes in a bite sized portion, perfect for those passengers who are seeking that small indulgence with comforting, well known flavours.

Retro-style treats especially are thriving globally and are well suited to airline service formats, so expect more in this arena as the year progresses. A recent study found that around 80% of the global population enjoy snacking on treats from their childhood, as this helps them reminisce, creating a feeling of nostalgia. So being able to give passengers a space to reminisce on their childhood, while in the sky eating their favourite snacks is sure to be a growing trend throughout 2026.

6. New Food Innovations

Innovation will continue to be driven by sustainability and nutrition throughout 2026.

Many of these innovations appeal strongly to flexitarians: even if they are not fully ready to adopt a completely plant-based diet, providing meat-free and health-led options such as our Vegetable Pesto and Goat’s Cheese Sandwich, or our Falafel and Pepper Roll, will help satisfy their wellness aspirations as well as providing first class flavour.

7. Social & Entertainment

Food is intrinsically part of a broader experience, especially when linked to entertainment, collaboration or social moments.

On board, this will translate to shareable items, themed menus and packaging that enhances enjoyment and ease of service, for both passengers and crew.

Presentation will play a key role in how these foods are perceived. With our inhouse design team we are able to provide unique, tailor made packaging to fit any airlines needs, bringing that onboard enjoyment to life.

8. Food as Therapy

With rising levels of stress and anxiety, many consumers are turning to food for comfort, relaxation and mood enhancement.

For some, this means turning to more health-focused foods, such as high protein snacks to maintain energy. For others it will be a simple indulgence – a ‘better-for-you’ sweet treat or beverage that provides a moment of enjoyment during travel. Our award winning 100% natural juices made using High Pressure Processing (HPP) technology, retain that fresh fruit flavour without any added sugar, water or preservatives, and are a perfect solution for the health-conscious passenger looking to indulge in a small treat onboard.

9. All Day Dessert

Desserts are no longer limited to the end of a meal.

Pastries and desserts are rapidly becoming the go-to comfort food for any time of day as people are finding that small, sweet snacks are more cost effective than purchasing larger meals – especially in grab-and-go and snack formats.

En Route supplies multiple airlines with a range of sweet and savoury pastries that are suitable for service during any time of the day. From croissants, minis or sweet or savoury filled pastries, our options cater to all preferences.

10. Traditional Meats

While plant-based options remain important, traditional meats are experiencing renewed interest for 2026.

Minced meats, sausages and steak cuts are expected to continue growing in popularity, particularly when combined with transparent sourcing and familiar flavour profiles.